Why all the moans about evo brakes?

[Madmountainman]

I've got them on my Adv, without ABS, and find them absolutely phenomenal. No problems with them being too powerfull when pushing the bike around the driveway and, having experienced the non assisted brakes on my previous GS, wouldn't be without them. Oh, and contrary to some opinions they're not linked on the GS. With the weight of the bike, and me, they're ideally suited and i can chirp the front under heavy braking and ride sportilly (like a complete loon) with complete confidence, knowing they're going to haul me up in a really short distance.:drinkinpa

 

[HeatedGrips]

Didn't realise you could get the EVO set-up without ABS.

I've got it on my 03 bike with ABS and the brakes are most definitely linked. Front brake operates both, rear brake just works the rear calliper.

I like it. On my last, non-ABS, GS I found there was bugger all feel from the front brake. Combined with the lack of dive from the Telelever, it made wet-weather riding a heart-in-the-mouth experience for me. My previous bike, a Ducati, had the same Brembo callipers but gave huge amounts of feeback through the lever and suspension, perhaps it's something to do with weight and frame geometry.

Now I can put the stoppers on as hard as I like in the wet without worrying. Interestingly, I've not had the ABS operate yet. Just shows how hard you can brake on these bikes without locking anything up.

 

[judge]

As I criticised them I'd better speak up.

I took out an 03 GS demonstrator with ABS for two hours.

Firstly they most definatley were linked brakes but maybe thats something to do with ABS/Non-ABS or it being an ADV specific option.

Secondly they were the most powerful brakes I have ever come across, trouble is they are ridiculously powerful and that for marginalises their use to that of 'STOP ME NOW!!!'.

Trouble is if all you've done is overcook it slightly in a bend and you just want to scrub a bit of speed off I found I could do this quite happily on a non-servo'd '01 GS and it stayed on line. Doing the same thing on the servo bike it immediately applied too much braking and stood up.

I also found it useless in sub-25 MPH situations and relied solely on the back brake to avoid stop/start situaions in traffic. I've no doubt you can adjust your riding to suit these brakes and in two hours I did make adjustments that worked though no doubt over time I'd make better adjustments.

And there's no doubt this is now where its at for BMW now and if we upgrade we'll have to get used to them but I find the '01 brakes just fine and dandy and if I did have servos it would have to be with ABS on the basis if BMW don't trust me to apply the brakes I need at any given moment and 13 years of doing without I know when the call comes I'm going to pull on that front brake damned hard (and keep squeezing) - ABS can deal with the rest.

But let the real debate continue with someone who's done more than 2 hours with them, Mr Tickle?

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Is it possible to de-servo the brakes ?
Would they revert back to 'normal' operation with the same feel and power ?
Is it possible to lower the servo assistance levels ?

Phil

 

[luke scott]

Is it possible to de-servo the brakes ?
Would they revert back to 'normal' operation with the same feel and power ?
Is it possible to lower the servo assistance levels ?

Phil

NO NO and NO.

 

[judge]

Is it possible to de-servo the brakes ?

Turn ignition key to off position.

Would they revert back to 'normal' operation with the same feel and power ?[/B]

Yes but the bike is now under no power either

Is it possible to lower the servo assistance levels ?[/B]

Remove the pads or oil them?*

Apologies for sarcasm its what passes for humour round these parts. BMW have designed these for a purpose and it wasn't to give the rider more control, resistance is futile and no you can't switch off the headlight either.

Any truth in the rumour that the 2004 GS will come with a BMW approved chauffer thus removing all control from the owner?

* Under no circumstances should anyone carry out this mod, you'll invalidate your warranty, jeopadise your safety and the safety of others and I will not be held liable.

 

[mrTickle]

When I got my bike, I thought I'd like the servo assisted brakes and hate the ABS feature. It's turned out to be exactly opposite - I like the ABS and hate the servo brakes ( for the very reasons that Judge has pointed out ).

Under 10 MPH, if I just touch my front brake lever, my bike stops dead in its tracks - I can't do a nice rolling stop. I wonder if some servos are more sensitive to brake lever pressure or if the hydrolicis are somehow different on some bikes?

 

[luke scott]

Under 10 MPH, if I just touch my front brake lever, my bike stops dead in its tracks - I can't do a nice rolling stop.

Up to 15 mph and in around traffic you should be covering and using back brake not the front. My Adventure is perfect for my all day commute in Dublin traffic. Its not the servo that causes the problem.....

 

[Ming]

i have an 03 adv with evo brakes

they are really good brakes which do take a little getting used to as to the issue of are they linked ?

your both right in so much that the rear does not operate the front at all like a blackbird would for instance but the front does operate the rear brake .

much more sensible than the honda set-up

and as for the low speed feel try a gentle touch you know like the missus keeps telling you to do

 

[mrTickle]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by luke scott


Up to 15 mph and in around traffic you should be covering and using back brake not the front.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


........that's why I like ABS brakes

 

[GSAde]

EVO Brakes

I initially had a GS with EVO brakes but non servo or ABS. Though they were very powerful unfortunately they didn't stop the prat of a pilot collecting the back of a Merc ("only a fool breaks the two second rule" doesn't work when you've got the weight of a pillion as well!!) The wheels were locked up & tyres flat spotted at time of impact.

Decided the non ABS option had been a bad move as previous 1100GS had ABS, so traded in for ABS model - and got servo brakes to boot. First impressions WHAT HAVE I DONE!! bugger all feel, and brake lever like a light switch, on or off. 7k miles later perfectly happy, braking sensitivity develops (but does take time, or did in my case anyway) & can "feather" brakes no problem to gently lose speed, and if you do need to stop quick WOW can you, although the trade off of lack of feel is still present.

As for linkage,they're the same as the RS, here the front operates the front & back but the back operates the back only, so you can still drag the rear brake in slow speed manouvers - unlike the RT where they're linked in both ways.



On the other note as was said you'll never ride smoothly in slow traffic trying to control your low speed with the front brake, you need to use the back. It's also a lot more forgiving with a bit of rear brake when you hit that patch of diesel / gravel that you didn't see 'cos of all the tin boxes arround you - always more chance of saving a rear wheel slide than a front.

Ride Safe & Have Fun

Ade

 

[cookie]

Up to 15 mph and in around traffic you should be covering and using back brake not the front.

why

 

[JTalbut]

Interestingly, I've not had the ABS operate yet. Just shows how hard you can brake on these bikes without locking anything up.

Really?
I get my ABS kicking off the whole time, usually when I don't want it to.
What usually happens is, I brake hard, hit a small bump in the road, front wheel lifts just enough to lock, ABS kicks in, bikes shoots forward a few yards without braking, ABS goes off and normal braking resumes.
I don't like it, it's disconcerting.

J.T.